Andrew Little’s latest attack on the Māori Party confirms he and Labour will deny the need for an independent Māori voice in Parliament, and in so doing, belittle the legacy of all of those who have championed the cause for rangatiratanga since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

MEDIA STATEMENT
Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell
Māori Party Co-Leaders
31 o Hakihea 2016
The Māori Party today congratulates all recipients, including tangata whenua, who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities.
“Every recipients’ individual achievements, success and track record of unstinting service to others, recognised in the 2017 New Year Honours List is acknowledged today and we join with their whānau and communities, proud of their many accomplishments,” says Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Tena ano tatou katoa.
This was due to be my last column for the Rotorua Daily Post for 2016, however I was advised they are not going to be publishing any further political columns this year, so I’ll publish it online instead. As it is my last article, it is appropriate to reflect over the year that’s been and think about the many people that we have lost. I must pay tribute to the many remarkable leaders who have left us. There were so many, and locally I think in particular of Fred Whata, of Hohi Porima, of Napi Waaka, my whanaunga Mita Hikairo Mohi, my tuara Awanui Black, too many to name this year - however I remember each of those that we lost for the footprints that they have left on te iwi Maori. Koutou i te po, e moe, e moe, haere. Whakangaro atu ra. Tatou te hunga ora e pae nei, tena koutou.